Subaru BRZ Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Subaru BRZ model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2018 drew the fewest (1) and the 2013 the most (64).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 2 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 23–27 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Engine | — | 24–27 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | Engine | — | 22–25 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Engine | — | 23–27 |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 24–28 |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 24–28 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
3 | 0 | Engine | — | 22–25 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
6 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 24–28 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
7 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | 24–27 |
| 2022 | 10 | 1 | Engine | — | 22–25 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
64 | 2 | Engine | — | 24–28 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Subaru BRZ years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Subaru BRZ: 64 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 47 (73%); Electrical system 3 (5%); Fuel/propulsion system 3 (5%).
Reports mention 1 fire. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 52,400 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Subaru BRZ: 7 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 2 (29%); Electrical system 1 (14%); Electronic stability control 1 (14%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Subaru BRZ: 6 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 5 (83%); Fuel system 1 (17%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (17%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Subaru BRZ years with the fewest complaints
2018 Subaru BRZ: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 1 (100%).
2 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Subaru BRZ: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 1 (50%); Power train 1 (50%); Suspension 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Subaru BRZ owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 64 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 52,400 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Subaru BRZ recalls
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2018–2019 model years; 175,968 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2021; 21V587000)
- Engine Valve Spring Failure may cause Engine Stall (2013 model year; 165,534 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2018; 18V772000)
- Camera Image may not Display/FMVSS 111 (2018 model year; 71,190 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2018; 18V935000)
- Inoperative Rear Turn Signals (2022 model year; 8,915 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2023; 23V609000)
- OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM/FMVSS 208 (2013 model year; 1,886 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2012; 12V254000)
All 5 Subaru BRZ recall campaigns · Subaru BRZ problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Subaru BRZ years FAQ
Which Subaru BRZ year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2018 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Subaru BRZ years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2017 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Subaru BRZ problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (65 of 101 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Subaru BRZ have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns covering the Subaru BRZ. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Subaru BRZ recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.